Another MERMAN top post!

[Mermaidmechanic]

Hey guys! SO~ I have a large thing of silicone, monster clay, and shell shock. I was going to make a tail for my niece a while back but shortly after sculpting fins/ a fluke, a mouse got into the closet I had it stored in and chewed up MANY HOURS worth of meticulous sculpting. I got discouraged, but now I want to do something with all those supplies. I have sculpting abilities, I have materials, now all I need is to work on a design and find a merman to put a top on. I've got a few ideas but I really want to work with someone and do something unique. I do have a very busy career life, so it may not be the fastest project, but I would have a lot of fun with it! What say you, mermen of the network?

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

Hey, I'm of course, curious :) What did you have in mind?

[Merman Jamie]

This will be cool. I am also curious

[Marlin]

You have my undivided attention. :):)

[Mermaidmechanic]

^_^ I appreciate any and all responses. I'll scribble some of my ideas down and post them this weekend!

[Merman Arion]

I am so watching this ;)

[Mermaid Dottie]

Oh my GOSH! I have so many ideas...... I need my sketchbook...

[malinghi]

This is cool, and I could totally benefit from this.

There's a bunch of info and ideas in this thread:
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2537-AUGUST-MERNETWORK-CHALLENGE-MERMAN-FASHION-DESIGN

[Mermaidmechanic]

all pictures that may provide inspiration is welcome! I'm still not sure how I'll pick which merman to outfit. :/

[Mermaidmechanic]

Oh nooo! I drew some sketches but my phone is acting up and I cant get them onto my computer. >_< I'll have to wait until tomorrow to post them. Frustrating!

[Merman Jamie]

I'm still not sure how I'll pick which merman to outfit. :/

Im sure you will figure something out

[Merman Dan]

I'm still not sure how I'll pick which merman to outfit.

cage match? ;)

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I've always wanted to see merman armor of some kind, that'd be really cool. Been doodling up a few designs myself to make later. (same thing, sculpt and cast, though I'll be doing it in Latex rather than Silicone)

Can't see what you turn out. Sign me up for that cage match, haha

[Marlin]

I've always wanted to see merman armor of some kind, that'd be really cool. Been doodling up a few designs myself to make later. (same thing, sculpt and cast, though I'll be doing it in Latex rather than Silicone)

Can't see what you turn out. Sign me up for that cage match, haha


Agreed, armor would be awesome.

@ Dan- By cage match....


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[Mermaidmechanic]

Haha I'm pretty sure we can come up with something more reasonable than a cage match. Here is one of my scribbles for a basic concept. Feedback?


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[Marlin]

I like the side "wing" fins :)

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

Looking cool. I like the wings on the back.

I am a bit curious what is in the middle on the front? Looks almost like he has a camisole under his top.

Also, thinking of merman tops. Anybody remember the Sharkanians from Little Mermaid? http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/035/e/b/some_more_sharkanian_pics_by_naturefanatic2-d755o1j.jpg They seem to be the only mermen in media that actually wear something over their torso.

[Merman Arion]

I like the side "wing" fins :)

Yeah. I totally can see Raven from Merbella doing something like that.
She made fins on tops that look like those from your sketch.

[Mer-Crazy]

I would totally wear that :D

[theredknight100]

whoa! the merman armor looks awesome and an great idea! :D this merman/orca knight wood love to have an knights armor someday :) I cant wait to see how your merman armor comes around

[Aziara]

That's awesome... and I'm not even a merman... *swims away to hide*

[Mermaidmechanic]

Looking cool. I like the wings on the back.
I am a bit curious what is in the middle on the front? Looks almost like he has a camisole under his top.


They are wide scales, kinda like the ones on a snakes belly. I'm still playing with the design a bit to make it kinda... "fit" together more coherently.


Yeah. I totally can see Raven from Merbella doing something like that.
She made fins on tops that look like those from your sketch.

I've seen a few of her tops that have fins on the sides too. I kinda realized that after I started drawing them so I positioned them more in back and made them much longer so there wasn't too much of a resemblance. I wanted to make some sort of dorsal, but I cant think of a good way to secure a male top with a dorsal on it. That was kinda the closest I could get to that concept. Maybe a top that secures in the front with netting and is all dorsal/scales in the back? Would that look funny while someone moved/ swam in the water? (I imagine it'll kinda bunch up in spots)

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

I love both the shoulder fins and the hanging wing fins... Maybe leaning a bit towards the wing fins because they look more flow-y. Not sure whether I like the breastplate in the top image over the more open design of the lower one. I can see advantages to each. And exdraghunt would be the one to ask about dorsal fin tops... I was very impressed by their work at NC Merfest.

[Mermaidmechanic]

Not sure whether I like the breastplate in the top image over the more open design of the lower one. I can see advantages to each. And exdraghunt would be the one to ask about dorsal fin tops... I was very impressed by their work at NC Merfest.

@_@ The two designs were a front/back view of the same top. I guess I should have clarified! I haven't seen any pictures of dorsal tops yet, Im super curious now!

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I have a spandex top with a dorsal sewn into it. the dorsal doesn't stand up out of the water, but does when in the water because the spines are supported by pool noodle.

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My plans for a new top also include a dorsal fin (this one split in two)

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[Mermaid Harmony]

I would also totally wear that. Love it.

[Mermaidmechanic]

I have a spandex top with a dorsal sewn into it. the dorsal doesn't stand up out of the water, but does when in the water because the spines are supported by pool noodle.

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My plans for a new top also include a dorsal fin (this one split in two)

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Those are neat! I'm not sure a top similar in design to the top would be easy to get on when fashioned out of silicone though. D: I like your concept design for the bottom one. What do you plan to make it out of?

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

@_@ The two designs were a front/back view of the same top. I guess I should have clarified! I haven't seen any pictures of dorsal tops yet, Im super curious now!

Oh wow, both the top and bottom image are the front and back of the same top... that's awesome! Lots of cool fins... I am even more impressed!

And exdraghunt, I didn't realize your dorsal fin spines were supported by pool noodle! Very creative :)

[Mermaidmechanic]

Here is another concept for the front... Not sure how I feel about this one. :/


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[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I intend to make the second top out of latex. The armor will buckle at the sides. The back and front are attached at the shoulder, goes on over the head and buckles at the sides. The gills and such will be part of a tank top underneath.

I like that second look. The giant starfish is cool. I can see it with a giant gem on front.

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

I also like the starfish look and the dragonlike breastplate. Maybe have the upper two starfish legs go over the shoulder so they look a little less flat? That might be what's making you uncertain about this one. I also like exdraghunt's gem idea, though depending on the starfish style, it might not be necessary... like so: 19 Bizarre and Beautiful Starfish Species (http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/19-bizarre-and-beautiful-starfish-species)

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I just like shiney things :B I intend to stick rhinestones on everything.

[Mermaidmechanic]

Adjusted according to some well-made suggestions. Any more input? I'm still not completely satisfied. I feel like it still needs a stronger touch of masculinity, if that makes any sense?

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[Mermaidmechanic]

Okay, I changed a few more things. Front and back view. Feedback? STILL feel like it's missing something. @_@

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[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I really like the shoulder fins laying across the shoulders like that. Less drag in the water. It kind of reminds me of a magical girl top, haha.

I am curious how it would be put on? rear straps made of elastic maybe?

[Marlin]

maybe pectoral plating? Like in the old roman designs? Examples: Roman Armor (https://www.google.com/search?q=breastplate+armor&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS579US579&espv=2&biw=1304&bih=707&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_kzKVJi1K82dyATbqIHYDg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=roman+breastplate+armor)

Not sure if is what you are looking for, but an idea.

[Keiris]

Most Mermen want to look as masculine as possible because of the whole tail on a guy thing. I think if you designed it as more of a sculpted chestplate with the illusion of some musculature there (sort of like ancient armor) i.e. pecs, abs it will be more flattering on a man. Start with that as a base and then add decorative fins and scales. The crisscrossing in back can look feminine very quickly. It can make it look like a corset. Having designed many costumes for male and female in the past, it is something I always had to keep in mind. Great concept and sketches!

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I'm not as into the sculpted abs look, but I think the more decorated breastplates are really cool looking.

I think one thing that is important is keeping a full range of movement. Dolphin swimming may not work as well if you have a solid piece covering you neck to waist.

[JamesGunnels]

Here is another concept for the front... Not sure how I feel about this one. :/


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I really like the idea to be honest. I would say, maybe make the side fins a tad bit more serrated...I guess it would kind of make the look more masculine. Maybe make the starfish a tad bit smaller? regardless...I like it :D

[Mermaidmechanic]

Thank you Keiris, I'm going to definitely take that into in consideration while i'm redrawing the design.

Extradhunt, I'll keep that in mind as well. I agree that too much will restrict movement.

JamesGunnels Thank you for the fin feedback.

I'll do another drawing and post it as soon as I'm somewhat happy with it. Thank you all for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I want to make a really awesome top and the more feedback I get, the better I feel like it will turn out.

[Mermaidmechanic]

new design drawing: opinions?

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[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

Neat concept and nice detail on the shading and texture. I kinda miss the starfish, but I suppose this does make it look more like part of the merman, rather than something that one wears. I do like that the chest looks more fishy and less crocodilian than the last concept.

[JamesGunnels]

new design drawing: opinions?


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This looks awesome!

[MerAnthony]

I like the idea about something for a merman. ( ha ha eat that mermaids) We lack stuff for us guys an something would be great.:swoon:

[jvry8c]

not bad so far. The one idea I had would be a tunic like shirt that looks like kelp leaves wrapped up.

[Skytroque]

Poking my head in this thread for the first time, I love the idea of a merman armor like that.
/can't draw so won't submit ideas

[Mermaidmechanic]

Thank you all for feedback. I'm still going back and forth on whether or not I'm entirely satisfied with the design. I'm still a little iffy on the fins, although I do like the new chest piece.

[Merman_Ryan]

Late the party but interested. XD

[Mermaidmechanic]

OKAY! So, I'm finally back home from my 5 week training course. I'm not sculpting yet, because I want to practice on something smaller before I take on something of this caliber. I'm currently sculpting/ casting a mask for an unrelated project, and if that comes out well, I'll get to sculpting for the top. ^_^

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

Hey there! How'd the mask sculpting go?

[Rett]

OMG I'm going to NEED this! xD Haha, I'll definitely have to try making my own top sometime (though I worry I might get awful tan lines and look weird when not wearing it...). Keep up the great work! Just a thought, maybe you could try making the the pectorals breastplate area look like undetailed scalop shells? Idk, I've liked all the designs you have come up with so far. You should make this into a professional business (You could sell male and female tops, accessories and even, maybe, tails). I'm pretty sure you'd be the first person to sell merman tops! That in itself would be a cool thing to have on a website!

[Mermaid Mhara]

Omg <3333 love it all!!

I'd totes buy the first winged/starfish top, and the latest design they are beyond awesome!!

[Rennara]

These designs look fantastic! I especially like the little hanging fin-bits. I bet they would create some really nice movement in the water.